Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Albuquerque, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grand Valley during a sunrise hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the first rays illuminate the rugged Sandia Mountains. Take in stunning aerial views and dip low enough to skim the Rio Grande, then rise back up above the desert landscape. Touch town after a 1-hour flight, and begin the day with sparkling wine before returning to your launch site.
- One-hour sunrise flight from Albuquerque
- Enjoy stunning views of the Rio Grande Valley and marvel at the colorful sunrise over the Sandia Mountains
- Learn about New Mexico’s natural history and hot-air ballooning from the expert pilot
- Have the option to help out the pilots during the inflation process for a more hands-on experience
- Celebrate the flight with a glass of sparkling wine and light breakfast after landing
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Scenic hot air balloon flight
- Champagne toast
- Light snacks after the flight
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 5601 Eagle Rock Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
Please check in at our office location.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Not recommended for participants with knee problems
- Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Flights can only be operated with safe winds, clear sky and no rain. In case of unsuitable weather conditions, you will be provided the option to take the tour on an alternative date or be refunded in full.
- Unable to fly anyone who is pregnant
- This is a shared basket flight, there will be anywhere from 10-16 total passengers in each basket
- Passengers 300lbs+ must purchase an additional space to ensure safety, comfort, and proper weight distribution during flight
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Dana_h
Great balloon ride. Anthony our pilot was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. I went with my 80 year old dad and 10 year old son. The crew let my sone set up and takedown and pack up the balloon which was a highlight for him. Mimosas and snacks after the beautiful sunrise flight was the perfect ending to the morning. Highly recommend this experience.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,336 reviews
Amanda_S, Apr 2026
Fantastic experience. Our pilot Alfred was wonderful. Really passionate about what he does and dipped us into the Rio grande which was super cool. Such a memorable experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that Alfred made your experience so memorable and that you enjoyed the unique Rio Grande dip.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable flight in the future.
Mary_Z, Apr 2026
Wonderful way to see New Mexico!
Rainbow Ryder pilot and crew were friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed such a beautiful view of New Mexico and that our pilot and crew made your experience friendly, knowledgeable, and professional.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another memorable flight in the future.
Denise_S, Apr 2026
Such an amazing experience. It was so peaceful and quiet. Stephen was a great pilot! This is definitely a must do when in Albuquerque.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the peaceful and quiet experience, and that Stephen made your flight even more enjoyable.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable flight in the future.
Juan_O, Mar 2026
Everything went well. Except that they charge extra for the rio grande experience and that didn’t happen. Also, in the description it said only max of 4 persons where going to be in the basket and we ended up being 7 including the pilot. Everyone was so close to each other like sardines. We couldn’t even turn to see different angles or sides of the basket.
Dana_h, Mar 2026
Great balloon ride. Anthony our pilot was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. I went with my 80 year old dad and 10 year old son. The crew let my sone set up and takedown and pack up the balloon which was a highlight for him. Mimosas and snacks after the beautiful sunrise flight was the perfect ending to the morning. Highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear that Anthony and the crew made your sunrise flight so special and that your son enjoyed helping with the balloon setup and takedown.
We’re glad the mimosas and snacks were a perfect ending to your morning, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you and your family back for another memorable flight!
Lawrence_F, Mar 2026
Fun, comfortable and exciting surprise for my wife’s 70th. ! Part of the fun was the number of hot air balloons launched together with ours. Citywide about 30+ in air same time made it more interesting and ability to get photo’s. Surprised how many people flew that day. Great experienced pilot.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your review. We’re thrilled to hear that your wife’s 70th birthday flight was such a fun and memorable experience, and that you enjoyed seeing so many balloons in the sky.
We’re glad our pilot contributed to a safe and enjoyable flight, and we hope to welcome you both back for another unforgettable adventure!
Paila_k, Mar 2026
Best time ever! As a very nervous solo traveler Mike kept me close and made me feel super comfortable. YOLO
Dave_G, Mar 2026
Awesome experience, staff was great. Our pilot Alfred was great. Smooth ride. Alfred was calming, made our first experience a great one. Would do it again.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Alfred and our staff made your first hot air balloon experience smooth, calming, and memorable. We truly appreciate you flying with us and can’t wait to welcome you back for another adventure!
Chloe_D, Mar 2026
Such a great experience! Anthony was an excellent operator — super smooth takeoff and landing, and he communicated clearly throughout the entire flight. We barely even felt the landing, which speaks to his absolute skill.
The whole experience felt very organized and thoughtful. The water, snacks, and champagne afterwards were such a nice touch and made it feel celebratory and special. One note for other people doing it - make sure to take your pictures RIGHT away because the balloons start off close together and then get further apart. Your best photos will be within 5-10 minutes after taking off!
My one note is that it was advertised as a “sunrise” balloon ride with a 6am arrival, but we didn’t lift off until about 7:30am, so we missed most of the true dawn light. That early glow is such a magical time of day, and it would’ve been amazing to experience more of it in the air.
Still, we were back to our cars by around 9–9:30am, which was very efficient. Overall, a really good experience — just wish we had caught more of the sunrise itself!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that Anthony made your flight smooth, safe, and enjoyable, and that you appreciated the thoughtful touches like water, snacks, and champagne. Your tip about taking photos right after takeoff is a great one!
We understand your note about the sunrise timing. For everyone’s safety, we cannot lift off in complete darkness, which is why flights sometimes start a bit later than the first light. We truly appreciate your understanding and hope that despite that, you still enjoyed the beautiful experience. We’d love to welcome you back for another memorable flight in the future!
Nisha_K, Feb 2026
Excellent pilot with lots of experience. Had to postpone our previous day trip due to wind Better safe than sorry. Thanks Troy!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad Troy helped make your flight a safe and enjoyable experience. Safety is always our top priority, so postponing due to wind is never fun but ensures everyone’s well-being. We truly appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you back for another amazing flight soon!
Haoran_Z, Feb 2026
Enjoyed the ride from the beginning to the end. Our pilot Alfred is a pro, and he delighted our ride with his humor!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the experience from start to finish. Alfred will be thrilled to know his professionalism and humor made your ride even more memorable!
Heidi_B, Feb 2026
We did a sunrise balloon tour and loved it!! The air was smoother than we expected and the landing was perfect. Alfred was an all around excellent pilot! He was knowledgeable about his craft, and not only that, but also the history of ballooning. His passion was evident throughout the entire morning. We were so grateful for this opportunity and would do it again!!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the smooth sunrise flight and a perfect landing. Alfred will be delighted to know his knowledge and passion made your experience so memorable, and we’d love to welcome you back again!
Patricia_B, Feb 2026
Seamless arrival process. The staff was very helpful and professional. The experience was outstanding a beautiful sailing morning. It was great to help launch the balloon. The pilot explained the craft operation nicely. It was an amazing experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear that your arrival process was seamless and that our team was helpful and professional throughout your visit. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the beautiful morning flight and appreciated the opportunity to assist with the balloon launch. We’re thrilled the pilot’s explanations enhanced your experience and that it was such a memorable one overall. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again in the future!
Gregory_G, Jan 2026
Wear warm clothing gloves and a hat, you will be high up in the sky. Experienced pilot and a great crew
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for the helpful tip and kind words! We’re glad you had a great experience with our pilot and crew, and we appreciate you sharing advice for future riders.
Ryan_A, Jan 2026
Everything about this was perfect. They were professional helpful and answered all our questions. We had a couple of people in our group afraid of heights and they walked them through the entire experience. Both want to go again.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that everything about your experience was perfect. Our team takes great pride in being professional, helpful, and making sure every guest feels informed and comfortable.
It means a lot to us that those in your group who were afraid of heights felt supported throughout the experience—and even more that they’re excited to go again! Creating a safe, reassuring, and memorable flight for everyone is always our top priority.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you all back for another unforgettable adventure in the sky.
Lori_L, Jan 2026
The pilot also acted as a tour guide letting people know what land marks we passed and he was very knowledgeable
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled that your pilot not only ensured a safe flight but also shared their knowledge of the landmarks along the way, making the experience even more memorable. We hope to welcome you back soon for another incredible adventure in the skies!
Alejandro_H, Dec 2025
They set us up for 6 am we sat in a waiting room for about 40 minutes the they drove us in this rickety van to a field where we had to wait around at least another 30 minutes in very cold.. plus they asked for volunteers to hold open balloon while they inflated it yes in very cold weather. Alfred the pilot said balloons can land anywhere but he was aiming for a CVS parking lot. He said this over and over from the start ok we get it. Ugly balloon with a logo not colorful but dingy boring we went up last but first to come down. Cheapest most disgusting wine for a mimosa it was nasty. Poor planning. They dont care about bucket list experience pay and shut up we got this kind of attitude.
They dont give a damn about this review but its not for them its for the next potential customer you dont get what you pay for. Not as described.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Typically, we have a 15-minute window for passengers to arrive and complete paperwork, but we do our best to accommodate everyone if someone runs late. Holding open the balloon during inflation is something we offer because many guests enjoy being immersed in the experience, though we appreciate your perspective and will take it into consideration. Overall, we’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your (or our) expectations for your bucket list and appreciate your comments as they help us continue to improve.
David_D, Nov 2025
Awesome experience with a very talented and experienced pilot!! I would definitely recommend it! Do it!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear you had an awesome flight and felt confident with your pilot. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.
Jay_G, Nov 2025
Got up in the air a little late but it worked out and it was an amazing experience as always. Maybe nitpicking, but years ago, twice we launched from a patch of dirt/desert. This time from the parking lot of a mall. We also got close to the river and floated along/over it. Other than that, still, it’s a magnificent experience and the pilot was good!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for flying with us again and for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear the flight was amazing and that everything worked out smoothly, even with the slightly later start.
Our launch sites can vary from day to day based on weather conditions, wind direction, and safety considerations. We always choose the location that will give you the safest and most scenic flight path possible—like that beautiful float along the river you mentioned!
We truly appreciate your feedback and your continued support. It means a lot to us, and we’re happy to hear your pilot made the experience enjoyable. We hope to fly with you again soon!
Robert_W, Nov 2025
If you only have one experience in Albuquerque, this should be the one! A fantastic experience from beginning to end, with a highly accomplished pilot and ground crew.
It was very interesting watching them prep and inflate the balloon and you are instantly assured that these people know what they’re doing! The actual ride is as smooth as silk and at no time did we feel anxious about the flight.
Without hesitation, book with Rainbow Ryders and be prepared for one of the highlights of your life!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the incredible review! We’re honored to be your top pick for an Albuquerque experience. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the entire flight from start to finish, and we’re so glad our pilot and crew made it memorable. We hope to have you back for another adventure soon!
Matt_B, Nov 2025
Taking a hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list for years, and the experience with Alfred and Rainbow Ryders exceeded all my expectations! Watching the sunrise over the Rio Grande was absolutely breathtaking. Alfred was incredibly knowledgeable and happily answered all of our questions—his many years of experience were visible through the navigation, especially with the perfect landing on a sidewalk. To top it all off, we enjoyed mimosas while the crew reloaded the balloon and equipment. It was an unforgettable experience from start to finish!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience! We’re thrilled that Alfred and the Rainbow Ryders team exceeded your expectations and made your bucket-list flight so memorable. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the sunrise, smooth landing, and celebratory mimosas—truly an unforgettable adventure!
Susan_B, Nov 2025
Amazing!!! Our pilot Anthony was extremely professional, thorough and made us feel very comfortable. The ride itself was like floating on a cloud. Highly recommend. This tour company was A1 in my opinion.
francisco_f, Sep 2025
Do it. Bucket list but don't wait so long. Professional. Hard to get in s m d of basket that was also fun specially the landing
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you were able to check this off your bucket list and that you enjoyed the flight from start to finish. We’re happy to hear you found the process professional and even had some fun with the landing! We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again for another adventure.
Sekara_Z, Sep 2025
We had Kris as our pilot/guide. Awesome experience definitely worth it to do. He told us so much of the geography and some history of the Albuquerque area!! Do a morning flight for sure! Highly recommend the activity and the pilot 🎈
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thanks for sharing! We’re glad Kris made your flight fun and informative. Morning flights are definitely magical—hope to see you in the skies again soon!
Gerald_M, Sep 2025
Outstanding communication, preparation and execution by Rainbow Ryders made this a memorable, rewarding experience.
This company has their business act together!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled you found the experience memorable and rewarding, and we appreciate your recognition of our team’s preparation and execution.
Brian_V, Sep 2025
Great time, first time in a hot air balloon. Beautiful weather. Great pilot. Wonderful to see the city from above. Everything was well planned and organized.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re thrilled to hear that your first hot air balloon experience was such a memorable one. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the beautiful weather, the views of the city, and the smooth planning and organization. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the skies soon!
Timothy_S, Aug 2025
The entire flight crew was very friendly, informative, skilled, and reassuring. We were first time balloonists so there was some trepidation but it was soon alleviated. Brad Rice was our pilot and he was great. He explained all the steps involved and had some of of us participate in getting the balloon ready to launch. He kept us thoroughly entertained for the entire flight all the while staying focused on his task at hand. He landed the balloon flawlessly right at the intended location. The champagne toast after the flight was the perfect ending to our sunrise flight.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your first balloon experience was so enjoyable and that Brad and the crew made you feel comfortable, engaged, and entertained throughout the flight. We’re glad the landing went smoothly and that you enjoyed the champagne toast to cap off your sunrise adventure. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable flight!
Jeannie_B, Aug 2025
Not only was the hot air balloon ride one of the most enjoyable experiences of my lifetime, but seeing the preparation the crew had to make before we lifted up into the air was amazing. Our pilot gave such knowledgable information to make the flight all the more enjoyable.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your review! We’re thrilled to hear that your hot air balloon ride was such an enjoyable experience. It’s wonderful that you appreciated both the crew’s preparation and your pilot’s knowledge—it all goes into making the flight unforgettable!
Joy_R, Aug 2025
This was a super fun experience, the pilot Anthony was very friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about all things hot air balloons 😁 I had a great time, and would definitely recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a great time flying with Anthony—his friendliness, knowledge, and passion for ballooning really shine through in every flight. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Christie_L, Aug 2025
My friend and I had never been on a hot air balloon ride and were a little nervous before going! Our anxieties immediately went away when we met our balloonist, Troy. He was so knowledgeable and wonderful, this ride was absolutely amazing!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad your very first hot air balloon ride turned those nerves into pure excitement. Troy will be thrilled to hear that his knowledge and friendly personality helped put you at ease. We’re delighted you had such an amazing time and hope it’s the first of many ballooning adventures for you!
From $189.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
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